Living in Whittier, MN Overview:

So you’re searching for a neighborhood with the urban feel of Downtown without the high-rise apartment prices? Whittier Minneapolis apartments are affordable, safe, and they come with a host of amenities you've come to expect when living in an urban area. Located south of Downtown in the community of Powderhorn, this thriving residential area is bursting with charming architecture, ethnic food, and local businesses. In fact, it’s estimated that no matter where you live in Whittier, you can reach at least seven restaurants and shops within a five minute stroll down the tree-lined streets.

While Uptown is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Minneapolis, its near-neighbor Whittier is gaining popularity with renters because of its low prices. Plus, it’s an easy commute to the rest of the city, and a short bike ride or walk away from the nightlife next door.

Whittier MN Arts & Culture

With its artsy atmosphere, Whittier Minneapolis is way less “pop” and a lot more culture.

This neighborhood is home to the Minneapolis College of Art & Design, so as you can imagine there are several small art galleries that feature shows, events, and community workshops throughout the year. Whittier also features several museums including The Minneapolis Institute of Arts (which is free!) and the Hennepin History Museum, which is a great place to learn about the fascinating history of MPLS.

If you want an apartment that’s close to a theater, you’re in luck! Don’t be fooled by the name of the venue though; you don’t have to be a child to enjoy an exciting evening at the Children’s Theater Company. Attend imaginative adaptations of classic children’s stories with a little extra humor thrown in for the adults, or head over to Uptown! Whittier Minneapolis is very walkable and bike-friendly, so cultural events near your apartment are just a step or pedal away.

Food & Nightlife in Whittier

The latest trend is food. And yes, obviously food has always been delicious and trendy, but more than ever people are on the hunt for tasty cuisine, craft beer, and a cozy atmosphere to enjoy those things in. Luckily, Whittier is well-known for filling tummies all over Minneapolis.

At the heart of this neighborhood lies “Eat Street,” a delectable assembly of diverse, ethnic foods from around the globe. Within walking distance of your Whittier Minneapolis apartment, you’ll find Malaysian, Vietnamese, Greek, African, Thai, American, Japanese, Italian cuisine, and more. In fact, there are approximately 432 restaurants, bars, and coffee shops in Whittier alone.

You will find a Starbucks in this neighborhood (I mean, what neighborhood doesn't have a Starbucks these days?), but you’ll also have a plethora of charming cafes to choose from. Plus, coffee in Minneapolis is cheaper than the national average, so if getting overly caffeinated is your thing, then cheers!

There are also bars and happy hours a-plenty! Lyndale Ave borders Whittier and Uptown, and features several bars and clubs. Overall, Uptown is better known for its nightclub scene, but residents of Whittier enjoy the short trek to the bar without finding last night’s bar goers sleeping on their apartment steps.

Pet-Friendly Whittier MN Apartments

The good news is that many of the Whittier apartments for rent are pet-friendly, most allowing cats and some allowing both cats and dogs.

Due to its abundance of parks and outdoor activities, Minneapolis is naturally a dog-friendly city. In fact, many establishments throughout the city allow you to bring your pup along, so it’s possible to spend a day dining and shopping with your furry friend.

That being said, with so many places in the city that accommodate dogs, Whittier has a surprising lack of resources. The neighborhood has a lot of grassy spaces, so walking them is very easy. However, there are a sparse amount of pet stores, groomers, and veterinarians to choose from that are located directly in the neighborhood. The surrounding neighborhoods have several options that are still fairly close by so if you want choices, you’ll have to travel a bit. There is also no dog park in Whittier, but if you venture a couple miles northeast, you can visit your friends in Loring Park where there is a large, off-leash dog park.

Commuting in Whittier, MN

Because Whittier Minneapolis is in such close proximity to Downtown, commuting using public transit is a convenient way to move about the city. There are seven bus routes that run through the neighborhood, so if you can’t get directly where you need to go from those, a short bus trip into Downtown opens up routes to anywhere in the city.

There are also major bike paths leading to and from Whittier every direction. Minneapolis boasts 92 miles of on-street bikeways and is considered one of the most bike-friendly cities in the nation, plus they have a ride share program that makes bike commuting easy and cheap.

Schools in Whittier Minneapolis

For renters with current or future little ones running around, you’ll probably want an idea of what the educational system in Whittier is like.

Apartments in Whittier Minneapolis have automatic eligibility for several schools including Jefferson Community School (Pre-K-8), and Southwest High School. While Jefferson tests below average for schools in Minneapolis, Southwest High School is considered to be one of the best high schools in the Minneapolis area.

There are also several alternative options for schooling, such as the Whittier International Elementary School (K-5) which provides a unique, comprehensive education. This IP PYP requires students to study Spanish and offers music lessons starting in first grade. Whittier is also home to the City of Lakes Waldorf School which is private and pricey, but provides a fantastic education.

Search By Property Type

Advertisement

Advertisement

Rent.com is the only free rental site that helps you find an affordable apartment, gives you tips on how to move and then says, "Thank you" with a pre-paid $100 Rent.com Visa® Reward Card. Here's how it works.